Russia for increasing number of Arab League observers in Syria

Lavrov also went on to say that armed groups in Syria “are swelling in numbers, and the smuggling of weapons continues”

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, January 29 (Itar-Tass) — Russia favours boosting the number of Arab League observers in Syria, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday.

Speaking of a decision by some Arab countries, mostly Gulf states, to withdraw their observers from the Arab League mission, the minister noted: “We should like to understand why this useful instrument is treated in such a way.” “I should come out, in general, for boosting the number of observers,” the minister emphasized.

“We are surprised that when a decision was taken to extend the stay of the observer mission by another month, some countries, including Gulf states, recalled their observers from the mission,” he noted.

Lavrov stated that the Arab League wants to submit its new ideas on Syria to the UN Security Council early next week. “We need to study a report,” the minister continued. Lavrov also added that the Russian draft resolution on Syria remains at the UN Security Council for discussion.

He also went on to say that armed groups in Syria “are swelling in numbers, and the smuggling of weapons continues”.